City of Fairbanks, AK
Community Paramedic
City of Fairbanks, AK, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, 99701
The Community Paramedic is responsible for facilitating patient use of, and integration with, social and medical support services with a primary goal of decreasing 911 utilization for non-emergent purposes. The Community Paramedic is required to apply technical paramedic skills and acquire and apply knowledge of medical and social support structures for patient management. The Community Paramedic also performs paramedic duties through assignment to a city vehicle equipped with Advanced Life Support (ALS) equipment and may transport patients to destinations other than the Emergency Department and provide medical exams and treatment for patients in non-emergent situations.
In extreme situations or disasters, this position may also be called upon for emergency pre-hospital care of the sick and injured.
This position is available to both internal and external applicants at this time,
with hiring preference granted to current Fairbanks Firefighters Union Members.
Essential Job Functions:
* Responsible for the delivery of the community paramedic program. Establishes, recommends, and evaluates short-term and long-term program goals and works to ensure program objectives are met.* Develop or adapt data analysis methods to identify EMS users with the highest possible benefit from community paramedic intervention and referral.* Observe, record, and report to physicians the patient's conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.* Conducts patient educations, including diabetes prevention / treatment, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), falls assessment, injury evaluation, geriatric frailty visits and nutrition.* Collects and inputs data and produces reports appropriate for patient care tracking, patient transfer to other providers, program coordination, billing ,and program evaluation.* Develops working relationships with community partners, facilities integration and collaboration between EMS and other health care and social service providers, and develops contracts with community and medical resources to assist with all aspects of patient care.* Responds, primarily in non-emergent mode, in a city vehicle to patients referred by emergency operations crews or other medical or social service providers.* Interview patients using developed assessment tools to evaluate with community and medical resources may be available to stabilize the patient's situation and facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources. Refers patients to identified resources as appropriate and tracks patient progress.* Transports patients in staff vehicle to non-emergent medical appointments or other destinations as needed and available. May operate a department ambulance with the assistance of at least one other EMS provider to transport patients to and from non-emergent medical appointments as needed.* Reducing the per capita cost of healthcare, improving the patient's experience of care, and increase access to social service and healthcare including substance use treatment.* Monitors the quality and appropriateness of patient care and documents the effectiveness of community paramedic program protocols, policies, and procedures. Recommends changes in protocols and standards to the MSO and Medical Director.* Performs related job duties within the scope of a paramedic.
Additional Work Performed:
Maintains awareness of ALS unit status and may respond emergently without compromising primary duties as an additional resource to temporarily support EMS system needs; as a primary resource when other ALS units are unavailable, and as a primary resource to mass casualty or disaster events.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge:
* Extensive knowledge of the Fairbanks Fire Department and its EMS component, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical protocols, Departmental operating procedures and incident command.* Extensive knowledge of principles and practices of pre-hospital medicine at both the EMT-B and Paramedic level.* Extensive knowledge in paramedicine and ability to apply knowledge.* Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the various types of Fire and EMS equipment used by the Fire Department.* Working knowledge of City and Borough geography.
Skills:
* Excellent skills in planning, organizing, problem-solving, and time and task management.* Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and managing group dynamics.* Excellent written and oral communication skills for corresponding with City employees and outside agencies; for making presentations and for providing training.* Computer skills for utilizing a variety of software, such as word processing, spreadsheet and database software, internet-based document sharing, and internet-based polling and scheduling applications.
Ability to:
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of people and organizations.* Work in a group setting with broad range of interests, overcoming conflicts to develop consensus around reasonable preparedness efforts.* Ability and willingness to establish and maintain effective, amicable relations with co-workers and the public.* Remain calm during emergency operations, analyzing information and developing plans of action.* Clearly communicate conditions and recommendations.* Maintain the absolute confidentiality of sensitive files, data and materials accessed, discussed, or observed while working with City staff and others.* Prioritize tasks and projects, work independently being self-motivated to identify and complete tasks and projects with minimal supervision.* Maintain flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of changing circumstances.* Understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.* Work effectively as a team member.* Maintain consistent and punctual attendance.
QUALIFICATIONS:
* Must be a graduate from an accredited high school or have a GED equivalency* Two years' experience as a full-time paramedic, PA, RN, LPN, or Nurse Practitioner* Current Alaska State/National Registered Paramedic within 30 days of employment, may also be a Physician's Assistant, Nurse, or Nurse Practitioner. With Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric certification, either PALS or PEPP, CPR/BLS*
Community paramedic certified by IBSC within 2 years of hire.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Alaska State driver's license* Must not have any disqualifying criminal histories, as solely determined by the City of Fairbanks Human Resources Department* Must have the ability to speak, read, and write the English language, and communicate
effectively in a manner consistent with the industry expectations.
DESIREABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
* Associate's degree preferably fire/EMS related.* Currently community paramedic certified with experience working as a CP.
* Basic email and internet skills required. Ability to learn specific job-related software applications.* Able to operate department apparatus, ancillary fire/rescue/EMS equipment, and tools, personal computer, telephone, copier, facsimile machine
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
This position may include stressful situations involving trauma, illness, psychopathology, and other challenging patient interactions. Work is typically performed in a 40-hour work week but may involve off-duty recall for major emergencies, including weekends and holidays, as required in an emergency services organization. Work is performed in a variety of settings, including offices, fire stations, emergency scenes, non-emergency scenes, and emergency response vehicles.
The emergency environment may include unusual modes of communication, extreme noise, discomfort, and hazards.
The emergency environment may require the management/ performance of hazardous tasks under conditions that require strenuous exertion with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights, or activities in and around water.
It may also involve working with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency.
May be exposed to infectious diseases, which require the use of protective equipment, and exposure to the elements.
In extreme situations or disasters, this position may also be called upon for emergency pre-hospital care of the sick and injured.
This position is available to both internal and external applicants at this time,
with hiring preference granted to current Fairbanks Firefighters Union Members.
Essential Job Functions:
* Responsible for the delivery of the community paramedic program. Establishes, recommends, and evaluates short-term and long-term program goals and works to ensure program objectives are met.* Develop or adapt data analysis methods to identify EMS users with the highest possible benefit from community paramedic intervention and referral.* Observe, record, and report to physicians the patient's conditions and reactions to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.* Conducts patient educations, including diabetes prevention / treatment, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), falls assessment, injury evaluation, geriatric frailty visits and nutrition.* Collects and inputs data and produces reports appropriate for patient care tracking, patient transfer to other providers, program coordination, billing ,and program evaluation.* Develops working relationships with community partners, facilities integration and collaboration between EMS and other health care and social service providers, and develops contracts with community and medical resources to assist with all aspects of patient care.* Responds, primarily in non-emergent mode, in a city vehicle to patients referred by emergency operations crews or other medical or social service providers.* Interview patients using developed assessment tools to evaluate with community and medical resources may be available to stabilize the patient's situation and facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources. Refers patients to identified resources as appropriate and tracks patient progress.* Transports patients in staff vehicle to non-emergent medical appointments or other destinations as needed and available. May operate a department ambulance with the assistance of at least one other EMS provider to transport patients to and from non-emergent medical appointments as needed.* Reducing the per capita cost of healthcare, improving the patient's experience of care, and increase access to social service and healthcare including substance use treatment.* Monitors the quality and appropriateness of patient care and documents the effectiveness of community paramedic program protocols, policies, and procedures. Recommends changes in protocols and standards to the MSO and Medical Director.* Performs related job duties within the scope of a paramedic.
Additional Work Performed:
Maintains awareness of ALS unit status and may respond emergently without compromising primary duties as an additional resource to temporarily support EMS system needs; as a primary resource when other ALS units are unavailable, and as a primary resource to mass casualty or disaster events.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge:
* Extensive knowledge of the Fairbanks Fire Department and its EMS component, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical protocols, Departmental operating procedures and incident command.* Extensive knowledge of principles and practices of pre-hospital medicine at both the EMT-B and Paramedic level.* Extensive knowledge in paramedicine and ability to apply knowledge.* Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of the various types of Fire and EMS equipment used by the Fire Department.* Working knowledge of City and Borough geography.
Skills:
* Excellent skills in planning, organizing, problem-solving, and time and task management.* Excellent interpersonal skills for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and managing group dynamics.* Excellent written and oral communication skills for corresponding with City employees and outside agencies; for making presentations and for providing training.* Computer skills for utilizing a variety of software, such as word processing, spreadsheet and database software, internet-based document sharing, and internet-based polling and scheduling applications.
Ability to:
* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of people and organizations.* Work in a group setting with broad range of interests, overcoming conflicts to develop consensus around reasonable preparedness efforts.* Ability and willingness to establish and maintain effective, amicable relations with co-workers and the public.* Remain calm during emergency operations, analyzing information and developing plans of action.* Clearly communicate conditions and recommendations.* Maintain the absolute confidentiality of sensitive files, data and materials accessed, discussed, or observed while working with City staff and others.* Prioritize tasks and projects, work independently being self-motivated to identify and complete tasks and projects with minimal supervision.* Maintain flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of changing circumstances.* Understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.* Work effectively as a team member.* Maintain consistent and punctual attendance.
QUALIFICATIONS:
* Must be a graduate from an accredited high school or have a GED equivalency* Two years' experience as a full-time paramedic, PA, RN, LPN, or Nurse Practitioner* Current Alaska State/National Registered Paramedic within 30 days of employment, may also be a Physician's Assistant, Nurse, or Nurse Practitioner. With Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric certification, either PALS or PEPP, CPR/BLS*
Community paramedic certified by IBSC within 2 years of hire.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
* Must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Alaska State driver's license* Must not have any disqualifying criminal histories, as solely determined by the City of Fairbanks Human Resources Department* Must have the ability to speak, read, and write the English language, and communicate
effectively in a manner consistent with the industry expectations.
DESIREABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
* Associate's degree preferably fire/EMS related.* Currently community paramedic certified with experience working as a CP.
* Basic email and internet skills required. Ability to learn specific job-related software applications.* Able to operate department apparatus, ancillary fire/rescue/EMS equipment, and tools, personal computer, telephone, copier, facsimile machine
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
This position may include stressful situations involving trauma, illness, psychopathology, and other challenging patient interactions. Work is typically performed in a 40-hour work week but may involve off-duty recall for major emergencies, including weekends and holidays, as required in an emergency services organization. Work is performed in a variety of settings, including offices, fire stations, emergency scenes, non-emergency scenes, and emergency response vehicles.
The emergency environment may include unusual modes of communication, extreme noise, discomfort, and hazards.
The emergency environment may require the management/ performance of hazardous tasks under conditions that require strenuous exertion with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights, or activities in and around water.
It may also involve working with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency.
May be exposed to infectious diseases, which require the use of protective equipment, and exposure to the elements.